Factory-assembled heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

A factory-assembled air-cooled heat exchanger including two or more modular air supply units connected in end-to-end relation, each modular unit having a vertical end wall and an opposite sloping end wall which converges downwardly towards, and connects with, the bottom of the vertical end wall. The resulting triangular sides are closed and the upper end of each unit is open to provide an exhaust leading to the heat-exchanger means. The vertical wall of each modular unit is provided with a circular fan opening in which is mounted a multiblade fan which is secured to a separate fan shaft rotatably mounted in each unit. Means are provided for connecting the ends of the fan shafts together so that the fans of all modular units can be rotated in unison. The heat exchange means will be mounted above the upper ends of the modular units and the resulting structure will be mounted on a skid of suitable size commensurate with the number of modular units employed.

United States Patent lnventor Raymond Murray Carr, Jr.

Tulsa, Okla. Appl. No. 32,098 Filed Apr. 27, 1970 Patented Dec. 14, 1971 Assignee Heat Fluid Engineering Corp.

Tulsa, Okla.

FACTORY-ASSEMBLED HEAT EXCHANGER 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

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Int. Cl. Field of Search Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,403,725 10/1968 Miner 165/122, 62/426 F24h 3/06 165/ l 22; 62/426 Primary Examiner-Frederick L. Matteson Assistant ExaminerTheophil W. Strcule Auorney-William S. Dorman ABSTRACT: A factory-assembled air-cooled heat exchanger including two or more modular air supply units connected in end-to-end relation, each modular unit having a vertical end wall and an opposite sloping end wall which converges downwardly towards, and connects with, the bottom of the vertical end wall. The resulting triangular sides are closed and the upper end of each unit is open to provide an exhaust leading to the heat-exchanger means. The vertical wall of each connecting the ends of the fan shafts together so that the fans of all modular units can be rotated in unison. The heat exchange means will be mounted above the upper ends of the modular units and the resulting structure will be mounted on a skid of suitable size commensurate with the number of modular units employed.

Patented Dec. 14, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 RAYMOND MURRAY CARR, JR.

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INVENTOR 2. s: 3 Q Q ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 14, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 RAYMOND MURRAY CARR, JR.

INVENTOR WM X. ATTORNEY FACTORY-ASSEMBLED I-IEAT EXICHANGER The present invention relates to a factory-assembled aircooled heat exchanger and more particularly, to a modular construction of air supply units which can be arranged in endto-end relation using two or more such units as desired.

The most common factory-assembled heat exchange unit is generally in the form of a substantially rectangular box having a fan mounted in a suitable opening on one of the vertical sidewalls thereof. One or more heat exchangers will be mounted internally in the rectangular box and the air, which is forced through the heat exchangers, is discharged, either through the vertical side opposite from the fan intake, or, preferably, through the upper end of the unit; in the latter instance, the only openings are the intake opening for the fan and the upper end of the unit which serves as an exhaust, the heat exchangersbeing mounted on a generally inclined plane within the unit. In the past when it has been desired to increase the size or capacity of the heat exchanger, the practice merely involved increasing the size of the box and the diameter of the fan. In utilizing this conventional practice, the size of factoryassembled air-cooled heat exchangers is, therefore, limited by the maximum heights and widths which are permissible on highways and railroads.

The present invention involves a modular air supply unit which will permit an increase in the size or capacity of a factory-assembled heat exchanger wherein the only dimension which is increased is thelength (the height and width being substantially the same) so as to permit transportation of the assembled unit on highways and railroads without exceeding permissible limits.

In the present invention, each modular air supply unit includes a vertical end wall and an opposite sloping end wall which converges downwardly towards the vertical end wall. Fan blades are mounted in a suitable opening in the vertical end wall and a shaft is suitably journaled for rotation in each unit. The resulting triangular sides of each unit are closed and the upper open end constitutes the exhaust for the air from each unit. Two or more units can be arranged in end-to-end relation with resulting triangular open spaces between adjacent units. Coupling means are provided to permit end-toend connection between the fan shafts of adjacent units whereby the fans of all units can be related in unison. The heat exchange means will be mounted, preferably longitudinally, over the upper open ends of the modular units. The resulting structure will be mounted on a skid or base of suitable size commensurate with the number of units employed. Suitable power means can be coupled, directly or indirectly, to one end of the composite drive shaft. When the fans are rotated to suck air into the units and force air out from the tops through the heat exchanger, the air will be sucked into the fan hole in one end unit directly from the atmosphere and into the remaining units through the resulting triangular spaces at the sides between the adjacent units. Preferably, triangular screens will be located at the sides of the triangular spaces between adjacent units and a circular screen can be placed over the fan hole which communicates directly with the atmosphere.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a factory-assembled air-cooled heat exchanger of variable capacity by increasing the length only of the resulting construction and without increasing the height and width thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a factory-assembled air-cooled heat exchanger of the type referred to herein wherein the air supply for the heat exchangers is provided by a plurality of modular fan housings arranged in end-to-end relation and designed to exhaust from upper open ends of such units with the heat exchangers being supported over the upper open ends.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a factory-assembled air-cooled heat exchanger of the type referred to herein wherein each modular fan housing is provided with a forward vertical end wall and a rear sloping end wall which converges downwardly towards the vertical end wall and is connected at the bottom, a fan mounted in a suitable fan opening in the vertical end wall, the resulting triangular sides being closed and the top being open, and means for coupling the individual fan shafts of the units together so that the fans of all units will rotate in unison.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a factory-assembled air-cooled heat: exchanger of the type referred to herein wherein the size of the upper open end and size of the triangular spaces between adjacent modular units are properly dimensioned with respect to the diameter of the fan.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with a detailed description of the drawings in which:

FIG. I is a perspective of a factory-assembled air-cooled heat exchanger constructed in accordance with the present invention wherein three modular fan units are connected in series;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the heat-exchanger construction shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right hand end view of the heat-exchanger construction shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing the mounting of fan blades and the connection of the fan shafts of adjacent modular units.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIGS. I and 2 show three substantially identical modules or fan housings I0, 12 and I4 arranged in end-to-end relation and supported on a horizontal frame or skid 16. The skid 16 is composed of Iongitudinal I-beams l8 and 20 and transverse I-beam 22; it should be understood that another transverse I-bearn (not shown) such as l-beam 22 is connected across the opposite ends of I-beams I8 and 20; also, as: many additional intermediate cross I-beams such as cross: I-beam 22, can be included as desired or necessary.

Referring now to FIG. 4, which shows certain internal details of adjacent units 10 and I2, each module includes an inclined end or plate of sheet metal 24 and, at the opposite end, a vertical plate 26. The sides 24 and 26 of each module converge towards each other adjacent the bottom and are enclosed at the bottom by a flat narrow horizontal side or plate ofsheet metal (not shown). The sides ofeach modular unit are covered by substantially triangular side members or plates of sheet metal 28, it being understood that each modular unit is provided with two such members 28 so as to enclose both opposite sides. The upper end of each modular unit is open so as to be in communication with the heat-exchanger section 30 later to be described. As best shown in FIG. 2, the heatexchanger section 30 rests directly over the upper ends of the modular units 10, I2 and 14.

Each vertical end 26 of each modular unit is provided with a circular opening 32 which is surrounded by a cylindrical shield 34. A multibladed fan 36 is mounted in each opening 32 withing the confines of the shield 34. Each fan 36 is mounted on a rotatable shaft section 38 which is. joumaled in a bearing 40 mounted on a horizontal support member 42 (having an L- shaped cross section). The support member 42 extends across the opening 32 and is connected to the vertical end member 26 on opposite sides of the hole 32. Additional vertical bracing for the crossmember 42 can be pnovided if desired. Adjacent shaft sections 38 are connected together by coupling means 44 of any suitable design. Each shaft section 38 also passes through a suitable opening 45 in the inclined side 24 of the next adjacent modular unit. The open triangular side areas between adjacent modules are covered by triangular screen members 46. A circular screen (not shown) is preferably located over the fan opening for the modular unit I0.

Turning now to a consideration of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the end unit 114 is connected to an input shaft 48 through its coupler M. The input shaft 48 is journaled in a bearing 50 supported on a horizontal crossmember 52. An idler shaft 54 is joumaled in a bearing 56 which is slidably mounted on the crossmember 52. A suitable source of rotary power (not shown) can be coupled directly to the shaft 48 or indirectly thereto, by use of a suitable belt (not shown) and pulleys or sheaves mounted on the shafts 48, 54 and output shaft (not shown) of the power source.

A plurality of heat exchangers such as heat exchangers 58, 60, 62, 64 and 66 can be arranged longitudinally across the tops of the modular units l0, l2 and 14. Thus, these heat exchangers can cool a plurality of different fluids.

As described above, the resulting structure includes a pluralityof modular fan units, in this instance three in number, with three fans mounted on a resulting horizontal fan shaft. Whereas each fan housing contains an opening and a fan ring, air is drawn directly into the fan opening of the exposed vertical wall only; i.e. the vertical wall of the modular unit 10. With regard to the remaining modular units 12 and 14, the air is drawn first through the triangular spaces at the sides between the adjacent fan units.

At this juncture, some consideration should be given to the relative sizes and dimensions of the elements and structures involved. First of all, we are principally concerned with units having a fan diameter of three feet or more. If the fan diameter is substantially below this dimension, then it becomes economically unfeasible to construct heat exchangers using the modular principle. The upper limit on the fan diameter will be dictated by permissible heights and widths allowable in shipment of heat exchangers by way of highway and railroads. It is also conceivable that the upper limit might be dictated, in part at least, by aesthetic considerations.

The vertical height of each modular unit l0, 12 or 14 should be such that the triangular open area between adjacent units i.e. the open area beneath the sloped housing wall of one unit and vertical end wall of the next unit, should be equal to or greater than the area of the fan hole. Considering the fact that the air comes in from two triangular openings at opposite sides of the structure, this means that the air velocity through the side openings would be approximately one-half of the velocity ofthe air through the fan opening itself.

ln considering the opening at the upper end of each modular unit, the depth of each unit; i.e. the longitudinal distance between the upper end of the inclined wall 24 and the upper end of the associated vertical wall 26; should be approximately equal to the fan diameter. The width of each unit, which would also be essentially the width of the resulting composite structure, should be approximately equal to twice the fan diameter.

In operation, referring now to FIG. 2, air will be sucked in from the left through the opening in the plate 26 of the unit and will be drawn through the unit by the associated fan to be discharged from the opening at the upper end of the unit from which the air will pass through the heat exchanger, or the portions thereof, overlying the unit 10. With regard to the unit 12, air will be sucked in through the triangular screens 46 between the units 10 and 12 through the opening in the side 26 of the unit 12 upwardly through the upper opening in the unit 12 and through the portions of the heat exchangers overlying the unit 12. Similarly, with respect to the unit 14, air will be sucked 1 through the triangular screens 46 between the units 12 and 14,

will be pulled into the unit 14 through the opening in the side 26 thereof by the associated fan and will be forced upwardly through the opening at the upper end of this unit and through the portions of the heat exchangers overlying this unit 14.

It should be noted that a plurality of different types of heat exchangers are shown in the drawings. If desired, a greater or lesser number of heat exchangers could be employed or they could be all of the same type. Furthermore, if desired, the heat exchangers could be arranged transversely although such an arrangement would most likely be less economical from the standpoint of construction costs. Again, although three modular units l0, l2 and 14 are shown, it should be understood that two or a greater number of modular units could be arranged in series, if desired.

Also, although the inclined end 24 and the vertical end 26 of each modular unit has been described as being connected at the bottom by means of a narrow horizontal plate, it should be obvious that both ends could be extended so as to connect directly to each other to form the bottom closure, or any other means could be provided to effect this bottom closure.

If desired, suitable shutter means (not shown) can be mounted immediately above or immediately below the heat exchangers, if for any reason it is desired to do so; a plurality of such shutter means could be employed, if desired without regard to the number of modular units involved and these shutter means could be independently operable if desired.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A factory-assembled air-cooled heat exchanger comprising a plurality of modular units arranged and supported in longitudinal end-to-end assembly, each modular unit comprising a substantially vertical end wall, an opposite inclined end wall converging downwardly towards said vertical end wall, means providing a circular fan opening in said vertical end wall, a fan shaft passing through said opening, fan blades mounted on said fan shaft in said opening, means for coupling the ends of the fan shafts of adjacent modular units to each other in substantially axial alignment to permit rotation of all fans in unison, the upper ends of said modular units being open and the remaining side portions and bottoms thereof being closed, the resulting spaces between adjacent modular units being open and substantially triangular in shape, and heat exchange means mounted directly above the upper open ends of said modular units.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said heat exchange means includes a plurality of heat exchange elements capable of cooling mutually different fluids.

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1. A factory-assembled air-cooled heat exchanger comprising a plurality of modular units arranged and supported in longitudinal end-to-end assembly, each modular unit comprising a substantially vertical end wall, an opposite inclined end wall converging downwardly towards said vertical end wall, means providing a circular fan opening in said vertical end wall, a fan shaft passing through said opening, fan blades mounted on said fan shaft in said opening, means for coupling the ends of the fan shafts of adjacent modular units to each other in substantially axial alignment to permit rotation of all fans in unison, the upper ends of said modular units being open and the remaining side portions and bottoms thereof being closed, the resulting spaces between adjacent modular units being open and substantially triangular in shape, and heat exchange means mounted directly above the upper open ends of said modular units.
 2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said heat exchange means includes a plurality of heat exchange elements capable of cooling mutually diffeRent fluids. 